Date of birth:

February 8th, 1893 (Hardinxveld, the Netherlands)

Date of death:

October 28th, 1969 (Gorinchem, the Netherlands)

Nationality:

Dutch

Willem Leenman from Hardinxveld was a so-called wild crosser. That is, he did not belong to the organised band of crossers of the Albrecht Group but proceeded on his own initiative. He reportedly made only two crossings into liberated territory but given the fact that he received both the American Medal of Freedom and the English King's Medal, his part must have been important. It is known that despite the fact that his opposite neighbours were members of the NSB, he regularly provided shelter to Allied pilots and his name also appears in the British Index to Dutch Helpers of Allied Personnel. His ship, which had been confiscated by the Germans, he retrieved it in broad daylight under their noses and sank it in a griend. His motto was: I no ship, they no ship! Son Gijs also made crossings and stayed behind in the south to enlist in the Canadian army.

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• Photo 1: De Waard in Oorlogstijd deel 2
• - KORPEL, A., De Waard in oorlogstijd 2, De Klaroen, Alblasserdam, 1984.
  - l9.jpg.
  - Korpel A., De Waard in de Oorlogstijd, De Klaroen
  - British Index to Dutch Helpers of Allied Personnel | WWII Netherlands Escape Lines